A Rose by Any Other Name? The Influence of Brand Name versus Chemical Differences in the Prescription of Antidepressants: The Role of Expertise

The effect that marketing has had on the prescription decisions of the medical profession is an area of great social and governmental concern and has been the subject of substantial international debate. In this study, the importance of brand name as a factor influencing the prescription habits of g...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of macromarketing 2008-09, Vol.28 (3), p.258-274
Main Authors: Ward, Steven, Pecotich, Anthony, O'Cass, Aron, Julian, Craig C.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Antidepressants
Brand names
Decision analysis
Physicians
Prescriptions
Psychiatrists
Studies
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Summary:The effect that marketing has had on the prescription decisions of the medical profession is an area of great social and governmental concern and has been the subject of substantial international debate. In this study, the importance of brand name as a factor influencing the prescription habits of general practitioners and psychiatrists is examined. Data on antidepressant prescriptions supplied by the Australian Governments Pharmaceutical Benefit Scheme and results derived from MANOVA and ANOVA analyses suggest that the brand name as much as chemical differences influenced the prescription of choice of antidepressants by both general practitioners and psychiatrists. The use of a well-promoted brand name may be an important evaluation shortcut by both groups regardless of detailed training resulting in medical practices, which may undermine the social imperative of affordable medical care for all. The authors suggest that clinical appropriateness of prescriptions for antidepressants by brand name needs further investigation.
ISSN:0276-1467
1552-6534
DOI:10.1177/0276146708320445